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The Story Of My Early Traumatic Life In My Father’s Hands – By Kemi Olunloyo

April 10, 2025

Everybody, almost, knows Kemi Olunloyo, if not physically, by reputation. She is a pharmacist, an investigative Journalist, an activist, a social media influencer, blunt to, atimes, an irritating and embarrassing point, loved and hated equally. And, she is a daughter of Dr Omololu Victor Olunloyo, a former Oyo State Governor who just passed at the age of 89. But it is a relationship she is not proud of. She is not proud she is her father’s daughter. It is a relationship she cut a couple of years ago after deep, retrospective thoughts. It is why she is not mourning her father. It is why she wants no condolence message sent to her. It is why she will not be at his funeral. Her reasons are as pungent as they are heartbreaking and traumatic. In this gripping, emotional, tear-inducing narration, Ms Olunloyo reveals her life not known, perhaps, to most people – why she is blind in one eye (not known to most people), how, as a 14-year old, she was gang-ra*ed in public by a group of rioting students in 1978 during the Ali-must-go students’ protest; how they beat up his brother so badly that he ended up in a wheelchair till he died at age 45; how they killed their driver and why she blames her father for the fate that befell her, her brother, their driver, and so many whys. Her story is likely to change many people’s opinion of her, especially, those who taunt her. It is unputdownable – if you have the heart to read it. I managed to – in tears – Comfort Obi

She titled it:

An Early Traumatic Part of My Life I Blame My Dad For In 1978

In 1978, Education Minister, Adamu Ali, raised tertiary school fees. Unilag students came out on April 28th, 1978, at 7pm to protest on Ikorodu rd, Lagos 🇳🇬 and vowed to attack government vehicles.

We left Ibadan traveling in two cars. No internet no cellular phones and the car radio was turned off. We drove straight into them. A 43yr newly appointed Minister of Science and Technology and his 5 children aged 8-14 leaving the youngest 12 months old at home with our grandma (Engr Pastor Ayobami Olunloyo of Redeem Jesus house London).

Both cars were attacked by rioters who pelted stones smashing my 8-year old brother’s head and throwing me on the concrete sidewalk, and with another rock “kpaing” our driver instantly.

When the car came to a crashing stop, rioters opened the petrol tank and lit it on fire with the car blowing up and 8 years Tayo and 13years Kemi still inside. Tayo was heavily bleeding from the head with the rock stuck in there.

I was thrown out of the burning car and immediately stripped naked by rioters and area boys in the dead of night and se*ually mol*sted by at least 25 male rioters feeling many hands penetrating thru my female organ. I began to bleed screaming with pain as they crowd-surfed (throwing me from person to person) me, yelling with excitement. The force of my head on the pavement destroyed the brain motor coordination of my eyes causing me to lose sight in one eye.

So, when I’m talking, my eyes blink at almost 80 times per second. Some people ask why, others like Iyabo Ojo make fun of it, some found out in May 2023 that I am actually blind in one eye. Now you know how. Just because someone’s eyes are open doesn’t mean they are seeing with both eyes. People are shot dead and their eyes are still open. I wear sunglasses to stop people making fun of me. Only if they knew.

With partial sight, I still went on to get 3 First class degrees in pharmacy, journalism and public relations management and had to read a lot of school textbooks. Iyabo does not know but described me in her Mohbad post, September 2023, when I announced that nobody should donate for Wunmi Adebanjo as she was a black widow, as “eyes like fire truck sirens” describing my blinking.

Tayo was rushed to Igbobi hospital in Lagos by bystanders. I was missing and was posted all over Lagos television but unknown to my parents, I was rescued by a man who grabbed me from the crowd taking turns mol*sting me naked at 13 years. He took me to his house and his wife bathed me, then saw me on TV and rushed me to LUTH the next day stating where they found me. It is impossible to reunite with that couple again. They matter to me, their age estimated mid 80’s like my parents now 89 and 84. My dad was 43yrs and mom 38. I was bleeding heavily in my private part and received 16 stitches.

By the time I was reunited with my parents Tayo already had brain surgery performed by the renowned neurosurgeons late Dr Adadevoh VC of Unilag and late Professor Ojikutu. He lost parts of his spinal cord and became paralyzed at 8yrs. His care was tedious for my mom and the whole family. Tayo traveled on federal govt estacodes to several countries to get treatment and physiotherapy from Abu Dhabi to Singapore to Harley street London clinics. He could no longer WALK AGAIN. Akintayo lived 43 years on a wheelchair – from the small ones to the big ones as he grew into a 6ft-man. Many epileptic seizures, the most intelligent of the Olunloyo children who recited the 9X table at 5yrs was now learning diminished and maimed.

Tayo lost the use of his left hand. He could still talk, laugh, listen to music but was confined to the wheelchair for life. He would ask me to take him to ShopRite and we would go get groceries so he could see the outside sunshine every often.

He never liked my mom, and believed she put him on the wheelchair via witchcraft. He would call my dad begging for help to leave her care as my parents separated 2015. He took 3 prescriptions medications that I took over from them to personally give him daily. They claimed I was poisoning him with pharmaceuticals. These were drugs his neurologist and psychiatrist gave him to decrease seizures. Tayo’s health was deteriorating

My sister, Funke, who is in a cult-like worship called the GRAIL MESSAGE CROSS BEARER CHURCH will deny Tayo of his neurological meds and give him some black drink claiming herbal medicine.

Funke, my sister, who bullied and assaulted me from childhood kept Tayo’s numerous monies in a bank account she was the only signatory to, and started bullying him. She traveled abroad many times on lavish vacations to America 🇺🇸 and Dubai 🇦🇪with her children, spending Tayo’s money.

Obasanjo, Babangida and other leaders sent Tayo hard currency in pounds and dollars yearly for his birthday. Nobody knows what she did with the cash when he died and suddenly opened a foundation in his name with the rest of my siblings, an occasion in Ibadan that I wasn’t even invited to in 2022.

I saw Tayo last when I separated from my family for good and told him I’m leaving for Lagos in 2019 citing the words “a pade layo” meaning “we will meet happily again”. It was the last time. He lost his livelihood, the most intelligent of the children. Tayo recited the 9X table at 5yrs just like the mathematician my dad was. No university, no friends, no wife or children but 43yrs of agony and pain.

The riots of 1978 were called #Alimustgo after Ahmadu Ali who raised university school fees. In August 2023, a tweet I wrote went viral when Unilag students started protesting increased tuition. I wrote: “That’s how it all started in 1978 when Unilag students ‘kpaied’ my brother 43 yrs later.“ This is the reason I do not participate in any protests in Nigeria due to this traumatic life experience. I’ll rather voice out on Twitter. Violent protests are not acceptable and you don’t know when a peaceful protest will turn violent.

The bed they admitted me to in LUTH was the bed Mrs Funmilayo Kuti just died on the previous week after Obasanjo had army raid Fela’s house. That year, 1978, was tough for the Olunloyos and the Kuti families. Seun Joked that my activism came from what his grandma left in the mattress.

My last outing together with Tayo was my 53rd birthday party in 2017 at Oluyole Cheshire home for disabled, motherless babies and adults. I did this because of my brother and many forgotten disabled Nigerian kids who became adults in Motherless babies homes when their families disowned them or could no longer care for them. TVC followed me there.

Tayo passed away in his sleep around 9pm the evening of September 28th 2021. May my brother continue to rest in peace. As I said earlier, Fmr President Obasanjo who my dad was in his cabinet at the time and fmr President Babangida, his best friend, occasionally sent notes, cards, hard currency and even first class plane tickets to Tayo to travel abroad and just make him happy. I have attached them in this reel. Fmr President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration did NOT pay for Tayo’s continued care when my dad approached him. GEJ told my dad that he had no record of him in the Federal government. My dad called Obasanjo and OBJ replied that Jonathan was a 19-yr boy hawking plantains with no shoes at the time in 1978.

Another reason history should return to school. Dad subsequently declined any more help from the federal government for Tayo’s day to day activities and sort help from his dear friend, the late Ooni of Ife, King Okunade Sijuwade who pumped thousands of dollars into Tayo’s care. Other political affiliates also did the same. To my dad, it was disrespect from Jonathan. Tayo was maimed in a CVU government car(ask your parents what this means. Cars designated for high ranking government officials) and we drove into an anti-govt riot. Very sad bait.

Why do I blame my dad for Tayo’s death?

On the morning of April 28 1978, we were all packed up, car ready, mom’s pot of soups and food ready to go to Lagos the first time when daddy became science and technology head. We were scheduled to LEAVE Ibadan 10am, arrival at Federal Palace hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the family suite which was our temporary dwelling till we moved to our government GRA house in Ikoyi. We left nine hours later 7pm with all the kids tired, no longer enthusiastic and my mom started yelling on him not to go at night anymore. He insisted we leave. We lost our driver, and I lost my virginity to hands of total strangers. Where was my dad?

All he said was that he was going to his outgoing office to pick a few documents. As told to my mom by the now late driver when we left for the express, he was actually at his side chics house all day KNACKING. That side chic was a married woman, Mrs Akere and the mother of my half-brother, Businessman Gbenga Olunloyo aka Kapor.

My dad impregnated her in his early years as a commissioner in the 60’s and Gbenga was born May 1964 while my mom was pregnant and I was born August 1964. This now explains the age old question many of you ask about Dele Momodu’s best friend, Gbenga Olunloyo, “How come Kapor and Kemi are the same age?”

The story of my se*ual molestation was not told to my siblings. Some are finding out TODAY in this write up while others found out in a domestic family fight in 2016. Each child has their own individual traumas in the Olunloyo family.

The worst part of this story was when it was leaked to bloggers in 2016 obviously by Funke. They got it all wrong and it was blogger Esabod who distorted the story as being “Her dad knacked her as a teenager” and she even made my 37yr autistic son a product of the made-up incest. Tokunbo Aboderin has since apologized to me and my family in a 2019 live- video. She grew up in Molete down the street from us in childhood, but I have no idea how the 1978 story was told to her by her late parents.

In the final years, I was in Ibadan, my dad bought Akintayo an IPad and I taught him how to watch YouTube videos which he became addicted to. His livelihood began improving. I showed him a lot of multimedia platforms but I just wanted him to walk again!! Ayobami was 12 months old and never saw 8yr old Tayo ever walk.

Every April fools day, April 1st, I remember Tayo’s birthday, April 28th (1978 riots) and September 28,

when he went to the Lord. I heard God shout to him at heaven’s gates “STAND UP!! Tayo STAND UP”

Teenager Who Stole Peter Obi’s Heart In Jail

The Source

April 10, 2025

By Charles Igbo

“Obi moves in, hires lawyer for him, appeals to Police to operate within the ambits of the law”

It was not only Peter Obi’s heart that the teenager stole. He stole everybody’s heart.

On that fateful day in Lagos, 2023, Peter Obi, then Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, was campaigning. The crowd was unprecedented. Lagosians trooped out in their scores of thousands. It was massive.

There was, literally, no movement. Everybody who trooped out wanted to see Obi, wanted to touch Obi.

The security details attached to the Presidential Candidate were in for a tough job. They were exasperated. They didn’t know how to manage the crowd, keep the people at bay, and protect him.

Then, out of the blues, this young boy beat Security. Wearing shorts, a sweat-soaked tee-shirt, eyes so innocent it melted hearts, he stood in front of Obi’s vehicle. Arms stretched to their very limit, he blocked Obi’s vehicle, thus forced the crawling convoy to a complete stop.

His innocent eyes focused on Obi. He looked straight into Obi’s eyes, as if pleading: “my future depends on you, on your success, on your victory. Obi returned his gaze, looked straight into the teenager’s eyes. It was an electrifying moment as their eyes locked.

The photograph was iconic, one of the best, one of the most touching taken during the 2023 Presidential campaign.

When it was published the next day, it melted hearts. The boy’s innocent eyes and gaze were disarming. A couple of people made promises to the boy. One does not know if those promises were kept. If they were, it was not public. He even, finally, met with Obi, his idol, the man in whose hands he seemed to have trusted his fate.

Two years down the line, the teenager, Quadri Yusuf Alabi, is in a mess. He is locked away in jail, accused, allegedly, of theft. For three months, he was not arraigned in Court. He was just dumped in jail.

Alabi’s fate was made public thanks to a post on X on Monday. The post said Alabi was arraigned before Orege Court, Ajegunle Area of Lagos on 27, March, 2025. The case was adjourned to April 28, and Alabi sent back to Kirikiri Correctional Facility.

What he, allegedly, stole is not known yet. But many people have spoken up for him. They say it is not true; that the teenager is not a thief; that he stole nothing. They insist he was, allegedly, framed because he did not share the money, allegedly, given to him in 2023 because of that iconic photograph during Obi’s Campaign in Lagos.

The post on X said Alimi was on his way back to home from work when he was accosted by some boys in the street and taken to a Police Station where he was accused of being one of those who steal and fight in the area.

Mercifully, Alimi’s sad story has caught the attention of his idol, Peter Obi. In a statement on his official X page, Obi disclosed that he has contacted a Lawyer to intervene in Alabi’s plight.

Obi: “After delivering my speech at the Commonwealth event in London today, I was made aware of the young boy named Quadri Yusuf Alabi, who has been detained for over three months without trial, appeared in court for the first time in March, and still remains in custody.

“I have contacted a lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong @InibeheEffiong. who, luckily, has been actively working to intensify his release.

“I sincerely appeal to the Police and other agents of the government to always operate within the law and the rules and stop weaponizing citizens, especially, our youths, who need our care and love to unleash their talents and energy towards building a new Nigeria that is possible. – PO”

Also, a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has asked to be furnished with details of the case, Alabi’s family and lawyer.

He said: “Given the boy’s apparent innocence, immediate rescue efforts are necessary to remove him from prison. If anyone has access to his lawyers and family, kindly notify us at your earliest convenience.”

Now, Sowore knows the Lawyer Obi hired.

Ondo: PDP Spokesman Dumps Party

Ayodele Oni

April 9, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has resigned from the party.

Peretei submitted his letter of resignation to the chairman of his Arogbo Ward 1, on Wednesday.

Citing some actions of leaders who he accused of being selfish, he pointed out that he found it difficult to relate with such leaders.

His letter reads “I wish to inform you about my decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as those who claim to be at the leadership of the party have no intention to win any elections, now or in the future.

“It is difficult to work with people whose interests are only themselves and how they can use the party to trade every election year.

“I was privileged to serve as the State Financial Secretary of the PDP at its infancy (1999-2003) and served again as State Publicity Secretary, 2020 to date.

“I contributed my quota at every level. But the same people who have held the party hostage, making it impossible to win elections in the last three election cycles have tightened their grip on a party that laid prostrate at the Intensive Care Unit. The PDP in Ondo State is now on its way to the morgue.

“For those who depend on election funds and party patronage to run their families, I admonish them to seek second addresses, so that, they can live more meaningful lives than that of political bandits, Almajaris or just Yes men.”

Pascal Dozie, One Of Imo’s Brightest Stars, Says Uzodimma

The Source

April 9, 2025

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has bemoaned the passing of the founder of defunct Diamond Bank, Mr. Pascal Dozie, describing him as one of Imo State’s brightest stars and finest sons.

Dozie died Tuesday, April 8, 2025, according to the family.

In an emotion-laden statement Governor Uzodimma personally signed Wednesday, he said Dozie’s death remains a great loss to Nigeria and Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma’s statement read in full:

NDA PASCHAL DOZIE: ONE OF IMO’S BRIGHTEST STARS

“I am deeply saddened by the passing on of Nda Paschal Dozie; renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one of Imo State’s finest sons.

“He made Nigeria proud by founding Diamond Bank, which grew to become one of the most competitive banks in the country. His foresight also saw him co-invest in MTN Nigeria, where he remained a key shareholder until his passing.

“Nda Paschal’s death is a great loss to Nigeria and to Imo State. His business acumen was exceptional, and his legacy will endure.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Imo State, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”

“Pascal Dozie Bore The Weight Of Greatness With Grace” – Ihedioha Mourns The Late Titan

The Source

April 9, 2025

The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has lamented the passing of Mr. Pascal Dozie, accomplished Economist whom he described as a “rare Entrepreneur”.

Dozie, founder of Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank PLC, passed in the early morning of 8, April, 2025, of a yet-to-be disclosed ill-health but majorly suspected to be related to old age. He passed at the age of 85 years, one day shy of his 86th birthday.

In a condolence message to the Dozie family, addressed to his first son, Uzoma Dozie, a former Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Ihedioha a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as a former Governor of Imo State, said that “The news of his transition has reverberated across our nation, casting a shadow of grief over all who knew him, and drew inspiration from his life.”

Ihedioha went on to describe the late Dozie as “not just a titan in the corporate world but, also, a pillar of wisdom, integrity, and quiet strength”.

Following is the full text of the Condolence message addressed to Uzoma, dated April 8, 2025, personally signed by Ihedioha.

“We have again lost another Iroko from the East – Mr Pascal Gabriel Dozie, CON. The news of his transition has reverberated across our nation, casting a shadow of grief over all who knew him and drew inspiration from his life.

“Fondly called Nda Pascal by his people, he was not just a man in the corporate world but also a pillar of wisdom, integrity and quiet strength.

“As the founding Chairman of Diamond Bank PLC, former Chairman of MTN Nigeria, former President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and former Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group – among other notable roles – he impacted the business terrain of Nigeria with uncommon ideals.

“Beyond boardrooms and titles, Nda Pascal was a true elder statesman – a distinguished entrepreneur of rare pedigree, a mentor to many, and a beacon of excellence and humility.

“His legacy is etched not only in the institutions he built, but also in the countless lives he touched, uplifted and inspired. He bore the weight of greatness with grace, and in his departure, we feel the void of a giant whose shoes may never be filled.

On behalf of my family and the entire Rebuild Imo Political Family, I extend our deepest condolences to his dear wife, Auntie Mabel, his children – Uzoma and his siblings – the larger Dozie family of Egbu, Ndi Owerri, and the entire Imo State as we grieve together.

“We have, indeed, lost one of our finest Ambassadors who put us in positive limelight.

“May the Almighty grant his soul eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this immense loss.”

Married to Chinyere (nee Achuko) with whom he had five children, all males, the late Pascal Dozie was a native of Egbu, Owerri North, Imo State.

Take-It-Back Protest: Police Apologizes For Brutalization Of Journalists

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 9, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Police Command, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, strongly condemned and dissociated itself from the molestation and brutalization of some working journalists in the State during Monday’s nationwide protest by the “Take-It-Back Movement”.

The Source reports that the Rivers Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ ,on Tuesday April 8, in a statement, decried what it described as unwarranted, barbaric, unprovoked and inhuman treatment meted out to some of its members during the protest.

It subsequently issued a 14-day dateline for the Police authorities to tender an unreserved apology or face a boycott of their activities and other lawful actions.

“The NUJ, as a watchdog of the society will not sit idly-by while media practitioners are subjected to acts of barbarism and brutality.

“Enough is enough. Any further attacks on working journalists in the State would be vehemently resisted, the NUJ stated.

However, reacting to the development on Wednesday, the Rivers State Police Command in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, informed that it has also instituted an inquest to unravel what actually transpired during the protest.

Meanwhile, the Command condemned what it called over zealousness on the part of some of its officers in the discharge of their duties.

While acknowledging its strategic partnership with working journalists in the State, the Police authorities assured of their determination to treat the issue at stake with utmost seriousness, promising to make public the outcome of their investigations.

“The Rivers state Police Command has received with concern the complaints by our Strategic partner, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, over the alleged assault on its members by some Police Officers during a recent planned protest.

The Command unequivocally condemns this unfortunate incident and has commenced a full and thorough investigation into the matter.

“Preliminary findings have led to the identification of some personnel who are currently undergoing questioning as part of the ongoing inquiry.

“The Rivers State Police Command holds Journalists in the highest regard, recognizing their critical role in fostering peace, security and development through their reportage and public enlightenment.

“We value the long-standing relationship and collaborative efforts shared with the NUJ, and regrets any action that may have strained this bond.

“We assure the NUJ, its members,

and the general public that this matter will be treated with the seriousness it deserves, and will not be swept under the carpet.

“Upon the conclusion of the investigations, the Command will make public its findings and the measures taken to address the situation”, the Police stated

The Command insisted that being very much aware of the planned protest, its presence at the venue was simply to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people.

It, however, regretted that the actions of some overzealous officers have tended to overshadow the good intentions of the Service concerning the planned protest.

“It is important to clarify that the Command was aware of the planned protest and proactively deployed personnel to provide adequate security cover for all citizens residents peace-loving members of the public, and most importantly, the press.

“Our presence at the scene was instrumental to preventing criminal elements from hijacking what was intended to be a peaceful protest .

“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property across Rivers state and will continue to carry out its duties with professionalism ,empathy and respect for human rights”, the Police further assured .

EU Lists 23 States As Beneficiaries Of Erosion Control Measures

Ayodele Oni

April 9, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The European Union, (EU) has shortlisted 23 States In Nigeria as beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.

The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Anda Ayuba Yalaks disclosed this in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde to inform him that Oyo is among the beneficiary states.

The Project Coordinator revealed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo state scoping mission to evaluate the state’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.

According to Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.

He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the 23 participating states including Oyo State.

Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of N500 million as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the state as one of the 23 states for the EIB intervention.

His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100 percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”

Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Governor Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the state.

He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the state’s unwavering support.

“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.

Panic As Three Headless Bodies Float In Ondo River

Ayodele Oni

April 9, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Ore Division of the Nigeria Police in Ondo State has invited community leaders to identify three headless bodies found floating in a river along Odigbo/Ore road.

The discovery has caused panic among residents of Odigbo Local Government Area following the inability to identify the bodies.

The gruesome discovery was made on Sunday when locals stumbled upon the decomposing bodies floating in the river, with some parts of the bodies dumped at the riverbanks.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the victims might have been brutally murdered and dumped in the river by suspected kidnappers.

Shileola, an Immediate past youth leader of the community, expressed his shock over the incident.

“I was shocked when I first heard about it on the phone. I rushed to the scene, hoping to identify the victims through their clothing or any other means, but all efforts proved abortive.”

He speculated that the victims might have been killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped in the river, as no report of missing persons have been recorded in the area so far.

Sileola, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious in the wake of the incident.

Confirming the incident the state police command spokesman, Ayankade Olusola stated that “I can confirm to you that some three bodies were recovered at the river in Odigbo and immediately it was reported at the Ore Division.

“The DPO of that Division moved a detective to the scene where the three bodies were recovered.

“However, the DPO upon recovering the bodies, took them to the morgue at General Hospital.

“And the DPO summoned the community leaders and all interest groups to ensure the identification of the body. He also directed that anybody that has information about the body to go there and check.

“But ever since then, we have not received any, nobody has been able to identify any of the bodies.

“And it is believed that those bodies were brought there and dumped at that site by some unknown persons.

“The area it happened bordered other States like Ogun and Edo. So we believe the bodies are not from these states. They were dumped in that river.”

Appointment LGA Officials: Group Accuses Ibas Of Gross Abuse Of Power, Rule of Law

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 9, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

An advocacy group ,the Citizens for Democratic Watch CDW ,on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, strongly condemned the appointment of Administrators for the 23 Local Councils of Rivers State.

The Source reports that Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, against a subsisting restraining court order early Wednesday morning named interim officials for the Councils which leaderships were sacked by the Supreme Court on February 28,.2025.

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday April 8,2025, had, earlier, ordered Admiral Ibas to suspend any moves towards appointing administrators for the State’s 23 Local Government Areas pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice before it.

But less than 24 hours after the said Court injunction, Admiral Ibas, through the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, on Wednesday, not only announced the appointment of 23 interim Council Chairmen, but also reconstituted the Board of some dissolved Parastatals, including that of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

Expectedly, Ibas’s action has drawn a plethora of flaks, particularly on his decision to ignore a valid Court order that restrained him from appointing the Local Council Officials .

The CDW in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Dr Hassan Dantani, appealed to President Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, call the Rivers State Administrator to order before the situation gets out of hand.

According to the group, Ibas’ action amounts to a gross abuse of power and office. It noted that no law empowers the Administrator to appoint Interim Council Chairmen for the 23 Local Governments.

” Appointing 23 Sole Administrators in clear defiance of a Federal High Court order is not only unlawful, but also tyrannical .

“No State of Emergency gives anyone the license to override the judiciary, erase Local Governance and act above the law. This must be condemned in the strongest terms.

Dantani noted that as duly confirmed by the Supreme Court in its ruling on the political crisis in the State, Local Council is a constitutionally recognized tier of Government which must not be run with undemocratically elected officials.

The group warned that allowing the obviously illegal acts of the Rivers State Administrator to stand is to inadvertently encourage future assaults on democratic institutions and structures .

“This action by Ibok-Ete Ibas is a grave violation of secion 7 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees the system of democratically elected Local Government Officials.

“Our democracy cannot function if unelected individuals are imposed to run Local Government Areas under military-style appointments .

“The blatant disregard for a valid Court order should alarm every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation.

“When leaders ignore Court Rulings and impose their will, what remains of the rule of law? If we allow this to stand in Rivers, it could happen anywhere else”, CDW noted.

To this end, the group urged the National Assembly to treat the democratic and power abuse ongoing in Rivers with all the seriousness it deserves .

They cautioned against any attempt to sacrifice democracy on the altar of political expedience.

Japa Syndrome: FG Says 16,000 Medical Doctors Gone

Ayodele Oni

April 9, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The exodus of professionals abroad to seek greener pastures has taken toll on the Medical profession. The Federal Government has disclosed that over 16,000 Nigerian doctors left the country in the last five to seven years to other countries.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this while speaking at the seventh annual capacity building workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa in Abuja.

Pate added that the doctor-to-population ratio is now 3.9 per 10,000 in Nigeria, while the estimated cost of training one doctor exceeds $21,000.

The minister pointed out that nurses and midwives that left Nigeria have also thinned the numbers of healthcare workers in the country.

“In Nigeria alone, over 16,000 doctors are estimated to have left the country in the last five to seven years, with thousands more leaving in just the past few years.

“Nurses and midwives have also thinned in numbers. The doctor-to-population ratio now stands at around 3.9 per 10,000 – well below the suggested global minimum.

“But this trend is not just about people leaving. It represents a fiscal loss.

“The estimated cost of training one doctor exceeds $21,000 – a figure that reflects the magnitude of public financing walking out of our countries.

“It deeply affects our health systems – leaving many of our rural communities critically underserved.”

The minister, however, urged African leaders to lead in forging a new global compact on health workforce mobility – anchored in pan-African training and accreditation standards; shared planning tools, evidence, and data; continental negotiating platforms with destination countries; and sustained investments in the people who care for the masses.

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